April is autism awareness month and in light of sharing information and awareness about children who have spectrum disorders this post will highlight some of the products and services that are available for families of special needs kids. Your children may not have special needs, but most likely, since autism seems to be on the rise, your family will have encountered classmates, family members or friends who have been diagnosed with some kind of autism spectrum disorder. Being empathetic and aware, makes life more fun and enjoyable. The more people know about autistic kids, the better understood and accepted they will feel.
10 GREAT TOYS FOR THE AUTISTIC CHILD
Here are some great gift ideas for birthday parties, showers and times when you have the opportunity to interact with an autistic child.
AGES 3 to 7
Paints and large paper for large gross motor work with colors. This allows the autistic child to work with color as a way of expressing their feelings. Talk about how the color makes the child feel and pay attention to the color your child chooses during the day.
Has an amazing selection of toys for everyone, but a lot of the toys they offer are great tools for autistic kids.
PAPER
Chunky Note Pad
http://www.mytoybox.com/alex-my-chunky-pad.html
PAINTS
Starter paint set
http://www.mytoybox.com/ALX522WN.html
BUILDING BLOCKS
Stacking toys help children with autism explore and build their gross motor skills. Use brightly colored blocks, Legos and creative toys that enrich their creativity and brain development.
REPETATIVE STORIES
Autistic kids love and grow through the repetition of sounds and rythms, so reading books with engaging stories and repetative sounds will inspire children to be engaged in learning through reading.
I Am Utterly Unique is a book designed to build self esteem and inspire childen with Aspergers and high functioning autism. Follow this link to purchase this book.
http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=5lCcHGREQfIC#v=onepage&q&f=false
MIX AND MATCH TOYS
Kids with spectrum diagnosis’ often love to sort things, so using mix and match toys helps them to learn about different things such as animals, colors and shapes, while still gratifying their nees to sort and organize random objects.
This matching set with vehicles, food, animals and more is a great sorting and interactive creative play set.
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Beginning-Sorting-LER0216/dp/B0006PJ12C
TOYS THAT LIGHT UP
Toys that light up are also engaging for special needs kids as it helps with visual stimulation and learning.
Neutron balls are great because they provide sensory, tactile expereinces as well as visual stimulous.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=light+up+toys
TOYS FOR 8-12 YEAR OLDS
CASH REGISTER, MATH AND COUNTING
Using pretend money and counting skills engages the child in creative play while nourshing their need to sort, organize and count.
Melissa and Doug have a great cash register/calculator available that is perfect for a child with special needs or any child, cause it is just plain cool.
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Pretend-Calculator-Register/dp/B00000DMD2
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Musical instruments provide sensory experiences and sensational learning for students. Music and reading music can be used to help with math and listening skills.
Below is a link to a great steel drum set that makes a neat sound and helps with learning and counting.
PICTURE BOOKS
Picture books like the “I Spy” are great ways for visual learners to experience their world and engage in understanding their enviroment as well as enriching their creative thinking skills.
I SPY, FANTASY BOOK
BOARD GAMES
Playing board games is a great way for the autistic child to interact socially. Games like Monopoly Jr., Kurplunk, Scrabble Jr., and Bingo help the autistic child engage with people and yet also have an organized way to feel comfortable interacting with others.
PHYSICAL TOYS
Physical toys such as riding a bike, skateboarding or playing with a large yoga ball or stretcheeze (huge elastic that can be streched and manupulated on different parts of the body) are great ways for children to experience sensory excerizes.
RESOURCES
Rethink Autism a web based resource for Educational information and assessment tools for teachers and parents of children with autism
Autism shop this online shop has EVERYTHING any parent, friend or family member of an autistic child would need. This website is a great resource and is a one stop shopping spot for everything. I love looking though their selection because it is great for any child, but since I do have a child with sensory issues, this is a fun spot to shop!
Autism Society provides addition resources and support for anyone who deals with autistic children. This is a valuable resource that empowers and enlightens people to the positve aspects of anyone facing spectum disorders.
